Collimating-sight for heavy guns.



No. 378,759. PATENTED FEB. 11, 1908.

' E. L. ZALINSKI.

OOLLIMATING SIGHT FOR HEAVY GUNS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, 1906. RENEWED DBO. 2a, 1907.

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PATENTED FEB. 11, 1908. E. L. ZALINSKI.

COLLIMATING' SIGHT FOR HEAVY GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JANA, 1906. RENEWED DEC. 23, 1907.

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No. 878,759. PATENTED FEB. 11, 1908. E. L. ZALINSKI.

GOLLIMATING SIGHT FOR HEAVY GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, 1906. RENEWED DBO. 2a, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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i to the elevation of the gun.

EDMUND L. ZALINSK I, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

COLLIMATING-SIGHT FOR HEAVY GUNS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

Application filed January 4:, 1906I Serial No. 294.517. Renewed Dec mber 23, 1907- Serial No. 407.711.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND L. ZALINSKI, United States Army, citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collimating-Sights for Heavy Guns, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to sights for heavy guns, especially seacoast guns.

The object of the invention is to adapt a depression telescopic sight or range finder, to automatically point a collimating telescope or sight, sothat a designated point on the gun may be brought into the range of said sight with accuracy, and, if desirable, to carry the automatic indication to other points. And the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations of mechanical elements to carry out the above stated objects.

The sighting of the gun in this case is performed by at least two operators, who are each observers. A depression telescope is manipulated by one observer, and the telescope being mounted at a known height above the water line or plane, its greater or lesser depression on the sight line brings the telescope to bear on a target on that plane. The observer who operates the depression telescope may also control the mechanism for traversing the gun, but pays no attention The depression of the telescope operates a collimating telescope or sight bar mounted at a right angle to the depression telescope, and the observer through this collimating telescope or sight brings a point on the gun to the precise elevation necessary to secure the projection of the projectile to the point observed by the first telescope, the range of the gunbeing known and its corresponding operating piece being carried into the mechanism by which the collimating sight is actuated, and also the auxiliary indicator, when such is used.

Figure 1 indicates as much of the side of a gun as is desirable to illustrate the operation of the sight, the gun bein'g supposed to be on a disappearing gun carriage, and the sight being supposed to be on a fixed part of the carriage, not shown in this view. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of part. of a gun, similarly mounted, with compound telescopic sight supported on a fixed part of the gun carriage, and collimating telescope pointing toward the gun. These views are not necessarily intended to illustrate actual mechanism, but more especially to explain the theory of the operation of the sight. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the depression telescope and its connections, and an end view of the eyepiece end of the collimating telescope. Fig. 4 is an end view of the eye-piece end of the depression telescope and its connections, and a side elevation of the collimating telescope. Fig. 5 is a section through the traveling nut and depression telescope, showing operating connections. bar collimating sight, and a part of the cam Fi 6 is a side view of an open sleeve, and Fig. 7 is an end view of the sight,

and broken portion of the cam sleeve. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of mechanism illustrating the principles of the device. Fig. 8

is a broken section and partial elevation of the cam sleeve, its shaft, and adjusting mechanism for the collimating telescope and the cross-hairs thereof. Fig. 9 is a section through the traveling nut and cam sleeve, showing means for indicating at a distance from the cam sleeve, as with a disappearing carriage. Fig. 10 is a side view of a broken modification of the last described mechanism.

which is supposed to be provided with all the usual or necessary appliances for observing,

focusing etc. This telescope is mounted on a frame, as 2, which is in use connected to some fixed part of the gun carriage, or with other suitable support, so that the axial line of the telescope and the axial line of the bore of the gun are in parallel vertical planes. The observer at the telescope 1 controls, by usual mechanism, or by direction to the gun crew, the side movement or traverse of the gun carriage and gun. In practice this work may be divided between two observers having two telescopes, each one of which controls the traverse of the gun within its limits.

The telescope 1 is hinged to the frame, as at 3. A micrometer screw 4 has journals 5, 5, in the frame, so that saidscrew may be rotated, but cannot move otherwise in the frame; A nut 6 surrounds screw 4, and is guided in the frame, as by an arm 7 moving in a groove 8. A saddle piece 9 connectedt this nut 6, supports the eye-piece end of the telescope, and an incline piece 10 on the telescope rests on this saddle. The rotation of the screw 4 will cause the nut 6 and the saddle 9 to advance toward or move away from the hinge joint 3, and, as the inclined piece 10 rests on the saddle, the telescope is more or less depressed (as to its line of vision) as the nut moves backward or forward.

The observer looks through telescope 1 and manipulates screw 4: to bring the crosshairs of the telescope to the water-line or desired target at the desired distance. At the same time he causes the gun carriage to be traversed to bring the axial line-of the tele scope and gun into proper relation with the target, such as a ship on the water.

To provide for adjustment to the proper height, .and also for irregularities due to rise and fall of the tide, the saddle 9 is connected to the nut 6 by a screw 12, which turns in the nut, and has threaded engagement with the saddle in the form illustrated. Screw 12 can be turned by finger piece 13. Suitable indicating and locking attachments are provided.

These details illustrate the principle of construction. Micrometer and Vernier scales may be and generally will be applied, to secure the finest adjustments and readings.

The-traveling nut 6 has a fin 15, shown projecting from the lower side of the nut. This fin enters a cam groove 16 in a cam sleeve'17 which sleeve is carried on a shaft 77 journaled in the frame and parallel with the screw 4.

The range of each class of guns is found by carefultests. The range tables of a class of gunshaving been found, a corresponding cam groove is formed in sleeve 17. This sleeve is applied to shaft 77, so that the travel-of the nut 6-will cause the sleeve to rotate more or less, according to the form of the groovein the sleeve. The sleeve is preferably secured to the shaft 77 by mechanism which permits longitudinal adjustment of the sleeve, as by set screw 76. A sleeve 17 having a cam groove 16 of a pitch corresponding to the range table of the'gun, having been properly located on and secured to shaft 77, and projection 15 from nut 6 being in the cam groove, the travel of the nut to depress the telescope must rotate the cam sleeve and its shaft. A collimating telescope 20, arranged transversely to telescope 1, is elevated when the latter is depressed, or

' vice versa, as follows: The greater'the distance to the target the less will be the depression" of the telescope 1, but the greater must be the elevation of the gun, in order that its projectile shall reach the target.

Since the form of cam 16 is likely to differ With each class ofgun, it is obviously impossible to state the form of the cam groove. But it will be readily understood that the same movement of screw 4 which depresses the sight line of telescope 1, for short range, or elevates this line for long range, turns the cylinder 17 to a corresponding greater or lesser extent.

A collimating telescope 20 is shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 8 This telescope is transverse to the cylinder 17, and moves therewith, and as said cylinder rotates the object glass of said telescope is correspondingly elevated or de pressed.

The connection of the collimating telescope 'to the cylinder 17 may be rigid, but in Fig. 8 is extensible. The field of the telescope should be alrge enough to take in the index point on the side of the gun in its various positions. Otherwise the telescope 20 may be carried by a rod 75, which rod is extensible relatively to the shaft 77, so that the telescope 20 may be brought to position to observe the index point of guns of different sizes, or may be adjusted for other purposes. Always the sight line of the collimating telescope is raised or depressed in opposite direction to the movement of the primary or observation telescope. Telescope 20 has the usual cross-hairs and focusing attachments.

On the side of the gun there is an index point 21. This point is preferably marked by metals or materials of contrasting colors. An X mark in silver on a dull background, or vice versa, makes a good index point. The index point is preferably placed on the gun at some little distance from the trunnion, so that by reason of considerable movement, variations in elevation can be more rapidly observed. It is true that the index point will move in an arc, while the collimating telescope moves only vertically, as illustrated, but if the field of said telescope is large enough the index point 21 should be visible on'the horizontal line of the collimating telescope. be moved laterally, as stated.

The observer through telescope 1 controls the lateral traverse of the gun, either by mechanism under his own control, or by direction to others. telescope 20 controls'the elevation, in like or suitable manner. has brought the gun to the proper elevation he signals the fact to the observer at 1, by an electric light visible within the telescope, or by other means, so that the observer at 1 may know when his gun has an elevation corresponding to the depression of his own telescope. The observer at telescope 1 may then fire the gun at a favorable instant.

I Signals may be made in various ways, as by means of an electric current of light, a semaphore, or other signal. As the observer at telescope 1 is not compelled to overlook the actual operation of the gun, he can the more concentrate his attention on the target.

The error of the day, as it is called, due

The observer through When the observer at 20 Otherwise the telescope may to temperature, haze, or atmospheric conditions, may be allowed for in telescope 20 by elevating or depressing the cross-hairs.

In Fig. 8 the drum 74 is supposed to have inscribed thereon curves or marks corresponding to desired adjustments, and the indication is read on finder or vernier 73. Screw 7 2- is connected to sash 70 in which the cross hairs are held, and by turning this screw the sash is raised or depressed, as in transit glasses and other observation instruments.

Instead of collimating telescope 20, an open or peep sight might be used. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) The bar 24 is connected to the collimating cylinder 77 as has been described for telescope 20. The-observers end of this bar has a peep or notch 25, while the end toward the gun has a straight edge26. The sight across this bar is similar to that across the horizontal cross-hairs in a telescope, the length of the bar compensating for the curvedl movement of the sight of the gun.

It is evident that various modifications can be made in the mechanical details of the construction. The salient feature of the invention is that the vertical depression of the observation telescope, operating on the usual plan of a depression range finder, shall automatically operate a collimating sight, by means of which a second observer shall be able to determine the needful depression of the breech of the gun to secure the proper muzzle elevation for the range. This applies in a practical manner to a gun the accurate method used in physical laboratories.

The sight is adapted for use with various classes of guns by changing sleeve 17 on shaft 77. Each gun has a cam sleeve 17 provided with a cam calculated to actuate the collimating sight in such manner as to reverse the movement of the observation telescope, that is, to raise the object end of the collimating sight as the sight line of the observation telescope or primary observation instrument is depressed. Of course it is not essential that the primary instrument be a telescope, although a sighting bar is hardly adapted for long ranges.

In Fig. 8 a side elevation is shown of mechanism embodying the essential principles of the device. A telescope A is suitably supported at its hinged front end, and has a cam rib B. The slide C moves in a horizontal plane, and as it is drawn back in the direction of the arrow, its lower rib D, depresses the front of telescope E, which is held up by a spring F. The relation of cams B, D, determines the operation of the device.

The sightis intended for use with all kinds of heavy guns, and is specially useful for guns mounted on disappearing carriages. IVith guns so mounted it is common to train the gun while depressed, so that when lifted to firing position the elevation will be correct or approximately so. By a slight addition, the sight above described may be made to indicate to an observer below the exact de pression of the collimating telescope. Thus in Fig. 9, sleeve 17 is provided with teeth 69. and a steel belt 68 passes over the sleeve, and down to a rotating dial 67 which dial is rotated in unison with sleeve 17, and indicates, by suitable indices, the amount of elevation which the gun should have, to correspond with the depression of the primary observation instrument. This enables the gun being given the approximate direction while still in the-depressed position.

Fig. 10 gives a different mechanism, by which the rotation of sleeve 17 causes a shaft, 60, to rotate, and this rotates an index dial 61.

It is apparent that various means may be adapted in carrying out my invention. A most important feature of the invention is that the depression of the primary instrument shall operate a collimating instrument to denote the proper elevation proportioned to the power of the gun.

That I claim is:

1. In a sight for ordnance, a primary observation device, means for elevating or depressing the same, and a collimating sight correspondingly automatically depressed or elevated as to its sight line by such movement of the primary device.

2. In a sight for ordnance, a depressing observation telescope, a collimating sight arranged transversely thereto, and automatic means by which the collimating sight is raised or depressed in reverse direction to the movement of the depressing observation telescope.

3. In a sight for ordnance, a depressing ob servation telescope, a traveling nut by which said telescope is raised or depressed as to its visual line, a collimating sight at right angles to the telescope, and means-by which the travel of the .nut elevates the collimating sight as the observation telescope is depressed and vice versa.

4. In a sight for ordnance, a depression telescope, a traveling nut by which the same is elevated or depressed, a journaled cylinder having a cam surface with which said nut engages, and a collimating sight connected to 6. In a sight for ordnance, a cam piece having a face proportioned to the range table of the gun, means for moving said cam, and a collimating sight controlled by said cam movement.

7. In a sight for ordnance, the combination, ofa hinged telescope having an inclined piece thereon, a screw on the vertical plane parallel to or passing through. the telescope a nut on said screw impinging on the telescope, a-cylinder parallel with said screw and having a cam groove therein, a projection from the nut engaging said groove, and a collimating sight operatively connected to said cylinder, the latter being correspondingly rotated;

8. In a sight for ordnance, a primary observation instrument, means for depressing the-sight line of the same, a cam actuated by said depression, and a collimating instrument controlled-by the cam, all combined.

9. In sights for ordnance, an observation instrument, means for depressing the sight line thereof, a cam proportioned to the gun power of the particular gun and moved by the depression of the observation instrument, and an indicator at' a distance actuated by said cam,- all combined.

10. In sights for ordnance, a depression telescope, a traveling nut by which the same is depressed, a removable sleeve having a cam proportioned to a particular gun power engaging said nut, a shaft rotated by said sleeve, and a collimating sight connected to said shaft, all combined.

11. In a sight for ordnance, the combination, of a depression telescope, a traveling piece by which the same is depressed, a suitable cam face engaged by said traveling piece, and moved in proportion to the power of the gun, and an indicator at a distance from saidcam and actuated thereby, through suitable connecting mechanism.

12. The combination, of a depressing telescope, a traveling nut by which the same is depressed, a cam sleeve engaged bysaid nut, a shaft driven by the sleeve, and a collimating sleeve transverse to said shaft and adjustably connected thereto.

13. The combination of a depressing telescope, means for depressing it, and a cam proportioned to the gun power and moved by the same means, a collimating telescope actuated by said cam, anda'n indicator at a distance also actuated by said cam.

14. In a sight for ordnance, a depression telescope a collimating sight at right angles thereto, intermediate means by which said sight is elevated as the telescope is depressed and vice versa, and an index mark on the gun on which the collimating sight bears when the gun is propely elevated, all combined. I

15. In a sight for ordnance, a depression range finding telescope, a collimating sight arranged transversely thereto, intermediate means conforming to the gun power by which the collimating sight is actuated from the telescope, and an index mark on the side of the gun, all combined.

In testimony whereofI' afliX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

EDMUND L. ZALINSKI.

Witnesses:

SIMON L. ADLER, W. A. BARTLETT. 

